Bakuchiol suppresses oestrogen/testosterone-induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia development through up-regulation of epithelial estrogen receptor β and down-regulation of stromal aromatase

Traditional Chinese Medicine Danzhi qing'e decoction inhibits inflammation-associated prostatic hyperplasia via inactivation of ERK1/2 signal pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Inflammation plays a critical role during benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) development. Danzhi qing'e (DZQE) decoction is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used for estrogen and androgen-related diseases. However, its effect on inflammation-related BPH remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the effect of DZQE on inhibition of inflammation-related BPH, and further identify the possible mechanism involved.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP)-induced BPH was established and then 2.7 g/kg of DZQE was administrated orally for 4 weeks. The prostate sizes, weights and prostate index (PI) values were recorded. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) was performed for pathological analyses. Macrophage infiltrate was evaluated by Immunohistochemical (IHC). The inflammatory cytokine levels were measured by Rt-PCR and ELISA methods. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was examined by Western blot. The expression differences of mRNA expressions between EAP-induced and oestrogen/testosterone (E2/T)-induced BPH was investigated by RNA sequencing analyses. In vitro, human prostatic epithelial BPH-1 cells were stimulated with the conditioned medium from monocyte THP-1-derived M2 macrophages (M2CM), followed by treatment of Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), Bakuchiol (Ba), ERK1/2 antagonist PD98059 or ERK1/2 agonist C6-Ceramide. The ERK1/2 phosphorylation and cell proliferation were then detected by Western blotting and CCK8 assay.

RESULTS

DZQE significantly inhibited the prostate enlargement and decreased PI value in EAP rats. Pathological analysis showed that DZQE alleviated prostate acinar epithelial cell proliferation by decreasing and reduction of CD68⁺ and CD206⁺ macrophage infiltration in the prostate. The levels of cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17, MCP-1, TGF-β, and IgG in EAP rats' prostate or serum were significantly suppressed by DZQE as well. Moreover, mRNA sequencing data showed that the expressions of inflammation-related genes were elevated in EAP-induced BPH but not in E2/T-induced BPH. ERK1/2-related genes expression has been found in both E2/T and EAP-induced BPH. ERK1/2 is one of the core signal pathways involved in EAP-induced BPH, which was activated in EAP group but inactivated in DZQE group. In vitro, two active components of DZQE Tan IIA and Ba inhibited M2CM-induced BPH-1 cell proliferation, similarly to ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 did. Meanwhile, Tan IIA and Ba inhibited M2CM-induced ERK1/2 signal activation in BPH-1 cells. When re-activated the ERK1/2 by its activator C6-Ceramide, the inhibitory effects of Tan IIA and Ba on BPH-1 cell proliferation were blocked.

CONCLUSION

DZQE suppressed inflammation-associated BPH via regulation of ERK1/2 signal by Tan IIA and Ba.

Comparison of the predictive value of anthropometric indicators for the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia in southern China

This study aimed to compare the predictive value of six selected anthropometric indicators for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Males over 50 years of age who underwent health examinations at the Health Management Center of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University (Changsha, China) from June to December 2020 were enrolled in this study. The characteristic data were collected, including basic anthropometric indices, lipid parameters, six anthropometric indicators, prostate-specific antigen, and total prostate volume. The odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for all anthropometric parameters and BPH were calculated using binary logistic regression. To assess the diagnostic capability of each indicator for BPH and identify the appropriate cutoff values, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the related areas under the curves (AUCs) were utilized. All six indicators had diagnostic value for BPH (all P ≤ 0.001). The visceral adiposity index (VAI; AUC: 0.797, 95% CI: 0.759-0.834) had the highest AUC and therefore the highest diagnostic value. This was followed by the cardiometabolic index (CMI; AUC: 0.792, 95% CI: 0.753-0.831), lipid accumulation product (LAP; AUC: 0.766, 95% CI: 0.723-0.809), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR; AUC: 0.660, 95% CI: 0.609-0.712), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR; AUC: 0.639, 95% CI: 0.587-0.691), and body mass index (BMI; AUC: 0.592, 95% CI: 0.540-0.643). The sensitivity of CMI was the highest (92.1%), and WHtR had the highest specificity of 94.1%. CMI consistently showed the highest OR in the binary logistic regression analysis. BMI, WHtR, WHR, VAI, CMI, and LAP all influence the occurrence of BPH in middle-aged and older men (all P ≤ 0.001), and CMI is the best predictor of BPH.

Demethylzeylasteral targets lactate by inhibiting histone lactylation to suppress the tumorigenicity of liver cancer stem cells

Cancer stem cells drive tumor initiation, progression, and recurrence, which compromise the effectiveness of anti-tumor drugs. Here, we report that demethylzeylasteral (DML), a triterpene anti-tumor compound, suppressed tumorigenesis of liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) by interfering with lactylation of a metabolic stress-related histone. Using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis, we showed that the glycolysis metabolic pathway contributed to the anti-tumor effects of DML, and then focused on lactate downstream regulation as the molecular target. Mechanistically, DML opposed the progress of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which was efficiently facilitated by the increase in H3 histone lactylation. Two histone modification sites: H3K9la and H3K56la, which were found to promote tumorigenesis, were inhibited by DML. In addition, we used a nude mouse tumor xenograft model to confirm that the anti-liver cancer effects of DML are mediated by regulating H3 lactylation in vivo. Our findings demonstrate that DML suppresses the tumorigenicity induced by LCSCs by inhibiting H3 histone lactylation, thus implicating DML as a potential candidate for the supplementary treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Wei Chang An pill regulates gastrointestinal motility in a bidirectional manner

CONTEXT

Wei Chang An (WCA) is a commercial prescription developed for the coordination of gastrointestinal movement.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of WCA in the regulation of diarrhoea and constipation in rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The diarrhoea and constipation models were prepared by gavage of Folium senna and diphenoxylate hydrochloride. Rats were randomized equally (n = 6) into the normal group given saline daily, the positive group given Pinaverium Bromide (13.5 mg/kg) or Sennoside A (0.1 mg/kg) and three WCA-treated groups (22, 44, and 88 mg/kg) by gavage daily for 7 consecutive days. The effects of WCA were assessed by a series of faecal symptoms and histopathology. Gastrointestinal parameters were determined by ELISA. The effect of WCA on gastrointestinal tissues was evaluated by strip assay. Expression of ROCK-1 and MLCK was measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTS

Data from Bristol stool form scale, diarrhoea index, visceral sensitivity, defaecation time, and intestinal propulsive rate showed that WCA protected rats against diarrhoea and constipation (p < 0.01). The up-regulation of Substance P and 5-hydroxytryptamine in diarrhoea rats and down-regulation of Substance P and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in constipation rats were inhibited by WCA (p < 0.05). WCA stimulated the gastrointestinal strip contractions but inhibited ACh-induced contractions (p < 0.01). The decreased ROCK-1 and MLCK expression in diarrhoea rats and increased in constipation rats were suppressed by WCA (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

WCA has both antidiarrhea and anti-constipation effects, suggesting its bidirectional role in gastrointestinal modulation, and providing evidence of WCA for irritable bowel syndrome treatment.

The Role of Aromatase Enzyme in Hormone Related Diseases and Plant-Based Aromatase Inhibitors as Therapeutic Regimens

Medicinal plants have a long history of use as food and remedy in traditional and modern societies, as well as have been used as herbal drugs and sources of novel bioactive compounds. They provide a wide array of chemical compounds, many of which can not be synthesized via current synthesis methods. Natural products may provide aromatase inhibitory activity through various pathways and may act clinically effective for treating pathologies associated with excessive aromatase secretion including breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers, endometriosis, uterine fibroid, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, infertility, and gynecomastia. Recent studies have shown that natural products with aromatase inhibitory activity, could also be good options against secondary recurrence of breast cancer by exhibiting chemopreventive effects. Therefore, screening for new plant-based aromatase inhibitors may provide novel leads for drug discovery and development, particularly with increased clinical efficacy and decreased side effects.

Yohimbine hydrochloride inhibits benign prostatic hyperplasia by downregulating steroid 5α-reductase type 2

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a frequently encountered disease in older men that affects sexual function and is capable of causing lower urinary tract dysfunction. Unfortunately, current treatment options for BPH primarily seek to address the lower urinary tract dysfunction aspect of the disease and do not improve sexual function. Yohimbine has been effectively used for decades to treat erectile dysfunction. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of yohimbine on BPH and explore the associated underlying mechanisms. Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into the control, BPH, finasteride (1 mg/kg), and yohimbine (2, 4, and 8 mg/kg) groups. Except for the rats in the control group, those in the other groups were subcutaneously injected testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg/day) daily for a period of 4 weeks to establish BPH models. They were also administration the corresponding drug daily for a period of 6 weeks. After the treatments, in addition to determining prostate wet weight and index, the histopathological status of the prostate was observed, and the levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, prostatic acid phosphatase, the prostate-specific antigen, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and steroid 5α-reductase were determined. Specifically, the administration of 2, 4, and 8 mg/kg yohimbine inhibited prostatic index increase by 46.7, 55.1, and 69.3%, respectively, in BHP rats. Further, yohimbine significantly reduced the levels of dihydrotestosterone, prostatic acid phosphatase, prostate-specific antigen, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and steroid 5α-reductase, suggesting that it exerts beneficial effects against BPH by modulating the steroid 5α-reductase pathway.

Kaempferol inhibits benign prostatic hyperplasia by resisting the action of androgen

Kaempferol is a natural compound that inhibits tumor development in androgenic related prostate cancer. However, it is still not clear about its phyto-androgenic activity and whether it suppresses testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) development. In this study, molecular docking, cellular immunofluorescence staining, chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual luciferase reporter assay were performed to investigate the androgenic activity of kaempferol. Dihydrotestosterone-induced gene expression and cell proliferation were further analyzed upon treatment with kaempferol. Testosterone-induced BPH was established in rats and the effect and mechanism of action of kaempferol on BPH development was then assessed. Docking data showed that kaempferol could bind to ASN705 and THR877 residues of androgen receptor which were also the binding sites of dihydrotestosterone. The nuclear translocation of androgen receptor was promoted directly by kaempferol in androgen-dependent prostate cancer LNCaP cells. In addition, the in vivo interaction of androgen receptor with PSA promoter region and the transcriptional activity of androgen receptor were both significantly enhanced after kaempferol stimulation. However, kaempferol pretreatment suppressed dihydrotestosterone-induced effects including the transcriptional activity of androgen receptor, the expressions of PSA and AR genes and cell proliferation of LNCaP, BPH-1 and WPMY-1 cells. Consistently, kaempferol declined the prostate index and improved the pathological properties in BPH rats, and the up-regulated T level in serum from BPH rats was highly decreased after kaempferol administration. Kaempferol exhibited its androgenic-like activity and served as a selective androgen receptor modulator that contributes to androgen-related BPH development.

An inhibitory effect of Berberine from herbal Coptis chinensis Franch on rat detrusor contraction in benign prostatic hyperplasia associated with lower urinary tract symptoms

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Coptis chinensis Franch (CCF), also known as Huang Lian in China, is a traditional Chinese medicine that commonly used for more than 2000 years. Clinically, CCF often used as anti-inflammatory, immune regulation and other effects. It has been reported that the decoction containing CCF can be used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

AIM OF THE STUDY

This research aims to investigate the effect of CCF on inhibition of BPH development in vivo and in vitro, and further identify the active compound (s) and the possible mechanism involved in BPH-related bladder dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Oestrodial/testosterone-induced BPH rat model was established as the in vivo model. The prostate index (PI) was calculated, the pathogenesis was analyzed and the micturition parameters were determined in the shamed-operated, BPH model and BPH + CCF groups after 4-week administration. The tension in detrusor strips was then assessed upon KCl or ACh stimulation with or without incubation of CCF or active compounds. To further investigate the signaling involved, rat detrusor cells were cultured as the in vitro models, the instantaneous calcium influx was measured and the ROCK-1 expression was detected.

RESULTS

Increased PI value and the aggravated prostatic pathology were observed with voiding dysfunction in BPH rats, which were significantly blocked by oral CCF taken. ACh or KCl-induced contractile responses in detrusor strips were significantly inhibited and the micturition parameters were improved when incubation with CCF or its active compounds such as berberine. Both CCF and berberine suppressed the cellular calcium influx and ROCK-1 expression upon ACh stimulation, demonstrating that berberine was one of the active compounds that contributed to CCF-improved micturition symptoms and function.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our findings give evidence that CCF and its active compound berberine inhibited BPH and bladder dysfunction via Ca²⁺ and ROCK signaling, supporting their clinical use for BPH and BPH-related LUTS treatment.

Pharmacological Modulation of Steroid Activity in Hormone-Dependent Breast and Prostate Cancers: Effect of Some Plant Extract Derivatives

The great majority of breast and prostate tumors are hormone-dependent cancers; hence, estrogens and androgens can, respectively, drive their developments, making it possible to use pharmacological therapies in their hormone-dependent phases by targeting the levels of steroid or modulating their physiological activity through their respective nuclear receptors when the tumors relapse. Unfortunately, at some stage, both breast and prostate cancers become resistant to pharmacological treatments that aim to block their receptors, estrogen (ER) or androgen (AR) receptors, respectively. So far, antiestrogens and antiandrogens used in clinics have been designed based on their structural analogies with natural hormones, 17-β estradiol and dihydrotestosterone. Plants are a potential source of drug discovery and the development of new pharmacological compounds. The aim of this review article is to highlight the recent advances in the pharmacological modulation of androgen or estrogen levels, and their activity through their cognate nuclear receptors in prostate or breast cancer and the effects of some plants extracts.

Simultaneous quantification of oestrogens and androgens in the serum of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia by liquid chromatography-Tandem mass spectrometry

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease in elderly men. It has been found that the occurrence of BPH was closely related to dysregulated steroid hormones. Here, a rapid, sensitive, accurate and specific method for the quantitative profiling of five androgens in man serum was developed and validated by the use of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Using this method, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (A4), testosterone (T), androsterone (A), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), oestrone (E1) and oestradiol (E2) were quantified in serum from man with and without BPH. BPH patients were characterised by the decreases in DHEA, A4 and T as well as increases in DHT, E2 and E1 in serum. Meanwhile, DHEA and DHT in serum were screened as sensitive biomarkers of BPH patients. This study will provide a new perspective of dysregulated steroid hormones for the diagnosis and prevention of BPH.

Estrogen regulates the proliferation and inflammatory expression of primary stromal cell in benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background

To investigate the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) in prostate tissues of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) individuals, and the effects of estrogen regulating the proliferation and inflammatory expressions of primary prostate stromal cells in BPH.

Methods

A total of 44 human BPH prostate tissues were collected to explore the expression of ER by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Cell proliferation, mRNA and protein expressions were analyzed in primary prostate stromal cells treated with estrogen or estrogen plus fulvestrant through cell count kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), IHC and western blot, respectively.

Results

Firstly, ERβ was positive, and ERα was negative in the transition zone of prostate among all the 44 individuals with BPH. Secondly, the effects could be partially inhibited by fulvestrant, of estrogen promoting the proliferation of primary prostate stromal cells cultured in dulbecco’s modified eagle medium (DMEM) supplemented with 2% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Thirdly, estrogen up-regulates the mRNA levels of C-C chemokine receptor type 3 (CCR3), CD40 ligand (CD 40L), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9) and interleukin 10 (IL10), and down-regulates the mRNA levels of C-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CCR4) and interleukin 17C (IL17C). Then, the protein expressions of CCR3, CCR4, CD40L, IL10 and IL17C are positive, and CXCL9 is negative in the third-generation primary prostate stromal cells. Finally, the effects could be partially inhibited by fulvestrant, of estrogen up-regulating the protein levels of CD40L and IL10.

Conclusions

The expressions of ER in human BPH prostate tissues are zone-dependent. Estrogen promoting the proliferation of primary prostate stromal cells cultured in DMEM supplemented with 2% FBS. The expressions of CCR3, CCR4, CD 40L, IL17C, CXCL9 and IL10 are regulated by estrogen in primary prostate stromal cells.

Chronic inflammation promotes proliferation in the prostatic stroma in rats with experimental autoimmune prostatitis: study for a novel method of inducing benign prostatic hyperplasia in a rat model

Objective

Inflammation plays an important role in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The aim of the present study was to reference the study of the pathological changes in the prostate gland of rats with experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP), for the development of experimental models of BPH.

Methods

Experimental autoimmune prostatitis was induced in rats by the intradermal injection of rat prostate antigen with immunoadjuvants. In case of the positive BPH group, BPH was induced by the subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate. At the end of the 45-day model period, prostate weights were measured, and the histopathological analysis of the prostate glands was performed. The levels of cytokines, TGF-β1/RhoA/ROCK signals, and the oxidative stress status were also examined.

Results

Rats from the EAP group had a higher histological score than those from the control group. Compared to the samples from rats in the hormone-induced group, those from the EAP group showed a more pronounced increase in the size of the stromal compartment; this was characterized by the formation of reactive stroma and the deposition of a greater amount of extracellular matrix (ECM). Significant increases in the numbers of CD3-positive cells and CD68-positive cells, as well as a significant upregulation in the cytokine levels, and an increase in the TGF-β1 levels and activation of RhoA/ROCK signaling, were observed in the samples from rats in the EAP group.

Conclusion

Chronic inflammation can induce BPH in rats via EAP model method. When performing drug experiments on the stroma compartments of BPH, the use of the EAP model is a recommendation of the authors based on this study.

Transcriptome analysis reveals that cyclophosphamide induces premature ovarian failure by blocking cholesterol biosynthesis pathway

AIMS

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, CTX) on premature ovarian failure (POF) in mice and its regulatory mechanisms by transcriptome analysis.

MAIN METHODS

Female C57BL/6 mice were treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of 70 mg/kg CTX. Serum levels of estradiol (E₂) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and follicular structure differences were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The main mechanism of POF was investigated by RNA-seq data, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and qPCR analysis.

KEY FINDINGS

The serum levels of E₂ were significantly decreased and those of FSH were significantly increased compared to the control group. The ovarian weights of the mice in the CTX group were reduced, and abnormal follicular structures were also observed in the CTX group. The RNA-seq data show that the downregulated genes were related to the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. The PPI network and qPCR analyses further confirm that the PPAR signaling pathway and the ovarian infertility genes were also involved in blocking the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. The differences were statistically significant.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our results indicate that CTX may exert its anti-tumor effects by inactivating the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, and simultaneously reducing the supply of estrogen precursor materials, ultimately leading to the occurrence of POF. Our data provided a preliminary theoretical basis for resolving the clinical toxicity and side effects of CTX.